If you're tired of the drag and want more speed, learning to water ski on one ski is the natural next step in your lake-life journey. There's a certain point in every skier's life where two skis just start to feel a bit bulky. You've mastered the wake, you can cross back and forth without falling, and you're starting to look at the slalom skiers with a bit of envy. Moving to a single ski—or slalom skiing—is where the real fun begins because it changes the entire physics of how you move across the water.
It's a bit of a steep learning curve at first, and you should probably prepare yourself for a few spectacular face-plants, but once it clicks, you'll never want to go back to two planks again. It's faster, more responsive, and, honestly, it just looks a lot cooler.
Picking the right gear for the job
Before you even hit the water, you need to make sure your setup isn't working against you. Most people start by trying to water ski on one ski using one of the skis from their pair of combos. While that's totally doable, it's not always the easiest way to learn. Combo skis are often wider and a bit more stable, which is great for beginners, but they lack the refined edges of a dedicated slalom ski.
If you're serious about making the jump, look for a ski that fits your weight and speed. A ski that's too small will sink like a stone when you're trying to get up, and one that's too big will feel like you're trying to steer a literal door. You also need to think about your bindings. Most beginners prefer a "rear toe plate" where your back foot just slides into a loop. It's easier to get your foot into while you're moving, which is a huge plus when you're just starting out.
The two ways to get started
There are really two schools of thought when it comes to learning how to water ski on one ski. You can either "drop a ski" or go for the "deep water start." Both have their pros and cons, and most people end up trying both before they find what works for them.
The "Drop a Ski" method
This is how probably 90% of people transition. You start on two skis just like you always do. Once the boat is at a steady speed and you feel balanced, you shift your weight mostly to your "strong" leg (the one that will stay on the ski). You then gently kick off your other ski.
The trick here is not to panic the second that ski floats away. Keep your weight centered and your front knee slightly bent. The hardest part is actually getting your back foot into the rear binding without looking down. Pro tip: don't look at your feet. The moment you look down, your shoulders follow, your center of gravity shifts, and you're going for a swim. Feel for the binder with your toe and slide it in while keeping your eyes on the horizon.
The Deep Water Start
This is the "pro" way to do it, but it's notoriously frustrating for beginners. Instead of starting on two and dropping one, you start in the water with only your slalom ski on. You're sitting there, chest-deep in the water, trying to balance a single thin piece of fiberglass while a boat prepares to yank you forward.
The secret to a deep water start is patience. You have to let the boat do the work. Most people try to stand up too early, which just pushes the ski down into the water and results in the rope being ripped out of their hands. You want to stay in a tight "cannonball" position with your knees tucked to your chest. As the boat pulls, stay balled up until the ski starts to plane on top of the water. Only then should you slowly start to stand up.
Finding your balance and posture
Once you're actually up and moving, the balance feels completely different than it does on two skis. On two skis, you have a wide base. On one, you're basically standing on a tightrope.
Your posture is everything. You want your hips forward, your shoulders back, and your arms straight. A common mistake is trying to "muscle" the rope by pulling it toward your chest. Don't do that. Your arms are just links between your body and the boat. Let the boat pull your hips, not your arms.
Keep a slight bend in your knees to soak up the bumps in the water. If you lock your legs, every little ripple will feel like a mini-earthquake, and you'll eventually lose your edge and wipe out. Think of your legs as shock absorbers.
How to actually turn the thing
Turning when you water ski on one ski is all about weight distribution and "edging." On two skis, you kind of just point your toes where you want to go. On a slalom ski, you have to lean.
To turn left, you're going to put pressure on the left edge of the ski by shifting your weight and leaning your body away from the boat. It feels counterintuitive at first because it feels like you're falling, but the water pressure against the side of the ski is what keeps you up. The more you lean, the sharper you'll turn.
One thing to watch out for is "slack in the rope." If you turn too aggressively toward the boat, the rope will go limp. When the boat catches up to that slack, it'll give you a massive jolt that can easily pull you out of your boots. The goal is to keep "constant tension" on the line at all times.
Overcoming the "Drag" phase
The most physically exhausting part of learning to water ski on one ski is the first five seconds of the start. This is the "drag" phase where the boat is moving, but you haven't popped up onto the surface yet. It feels like you're trying to hold onto a moving truck while being dragged through a lake.
If you find yourself constantly losing the rope, it might be because you're fighting the water. Instead of pushing against the water with your leg, try to let the ski angle slightly so the water flows under it. If the ski is perfectly vertical, it acts like a giant brake. If it's angled too much, it'll shoot out from under you. Finding that "sweet spot" angle is mostly down to muscle memory, so don't get discouraged if it takes twenty tries to get it right.
Tips for the boat driver
We can't talk about skiing without mentioning the person behind the wheel. A bad driver makes learning to water ski on one ski nearly impossible. If they "pin" the throttle and floor it, they'll probably just rip the handle out of your hands. If they go too slow, you'll never get out of the water.
The ideal pull for a slalom start is a firm, steady acceleration. The driver should feel the weight of the skier and adjust accordingly. Also, the driver needs to keep the boat straight. If the boat is weaving while you're trying to find your balance, you're going to have a bad time. Communication is key—use hand signals or just yell if the boat is loud. Make sure they know whether you're doing a deep water start or a drop-off so they can adjust the speed.
Why it's worth the struggle
You're going to get tired. Your forearms will burn, your back will be sore, and you'll probably swallow half the lake's water supply. But the first time you successfully water ski on one ski across the wake, cutting through the glass-calm water at sunset, it all becomes worth it.
Slalom skiing is a much more active and engaging sport than traditional water skiing. It's a full-body workout that requires focus, timing, and a bit of guts. Plus, once you get the hang of it, you can start looking into things like slalom courses or even jumping, though maybe save the jumping for next summer. For now, just focus on staying upright and enjoying the ride. See you out on the water!